Overindulging

Below the Spicy Baked Apples Recipe in my cookbook is a quote:

"When the holiday season of consumption that began on "black Friday" (the Friday after
 U.S. Thanksgiving that is supposed to help merchants end the year in the "black") draws to
a close, our consumption doesn't stop, it just changes focus.  During the holiday season we
are encouraged to consume, especially foods, to feel loved.  In January we are encouraged to
purchase diet foods and exercise equipment; ironically, to assuage our previous overindulgence."
-Simply in Season

I'm keeping this in my mind as I go throughout my days...how overindulgence is hard to stop.  How in my eating, my buying, my planning, I want to stay moderate.  How it's not such a blessing to overindulge on Thanksgiving when I'm doing it daily anyway.

We've been reading lots on the Pilgrims lately.  So much, actually, that when my oldest got his next history reading assignment he looked at his dad who happened to be giving it to him while I was at a meeting and said, "You can't be serious, not another Pilgrim book!"

One thing I found fascinating was that even in their infamous sea biscuits, maggots and other disgusting bugs had found a home.  It was so bad that some of the Pilgrims waited until after dark to eat their food...at least that way they couldn't see what they were ingesting.

It is out of that dark, putrid, barely sustaining situation that Thanksgiving came.

And I'm reading in Romans.  It is out of the near dead body of Abraham the life of a nation is born.  Not just the nation of the Jewish people, but a nation of all who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

From what I can understand in this chapter (4), because Abraham believed God's words, that he would hold in his arms a son in his old age, God credited his belief to Abraham as righteousness.  A dead man brought to life, brought forth life.

It's like buying stuff on credit, knowing one of these days you're going to have to face up to the numbers, the red numbers condemning you, stalking you, looming over you and darkening your days.  But then God speaks and gives you an offer...He'll fill your home with life.  And you believe Him.

Then that account that was so defeating, when you reconcile the numbers, is changed to righteousness.  How can it be?  You, who were in deep debt, receiving righteousness and life instead!

It is this truth I want to overindulge on during this extravagant season--on the God who gives life to the dead and those in the red, and calls things that are not as though they were.

When the New Meets the Normal

My neighbor's standing in our laundry room, also known as the room of chaos.  I'm  looking at the quilt thrown over loads of clothing, waiting for me to attempt yet again to scrub the blue paint off of it.  She's smiling at me and then I hear her say, "I sure wish you could be reincarnated as one of your children." 

My brain moves from quilts to what the time frame for being reincarnated is believed to be.  Would it actually be possible for me to be reincarnated as one of my children since they are already born?  Could I die and become them at birth and go back in time? 

And just as I try to give a smile of kindness she explains herself...."Your children are having such a wonderful childhood, it would be nice for others to have it, too."

Oh, good.  No deep talk on my ignorance of reincarnation!  But then the self-talk changes its tone.  "If she only knew," I tell myself, "she'd never say that.  My mothering abilities are a poor excuse for one who calls herself a Christ-follower.  My children suffer for my sins and I'm not anything close to giving them a good childhood."

Stop.

This weekend marks a new year.  A time given us to reflect on who we've been and reconsider who we want to be.  But the shoes I've been trying to put on this past year are too big.  I slip around in them, bumping into things, falling down, and eventually giving up trying to wear them.

My children and I have been listening to a Christmas CD by Andrew Peterson.  It's titled Behold, the Lamb of God.  The first song starts,

Gather round ye children come,
Listen to the old, old story.
Of the power of death undone,
Of an infant borne of glory.
Son of God.  Son of Man.

The chorus:
So sing out with joy,
For the brave little boy
Who was God but
He made Himself nothing.
Well He gave up His pride
and He came here to die
Like a man.

And we've played it over and over and now my children burst out in the chorus together and I just want to stop and say, "do you really get it?"

In my heart I know I'm really asking the question to ME!

The music has guided my focus for the year.  It reminds me of where my mind should really be....
Beholding the Lamb of God.

I looked up the word Behold...such a common word in the Bible.  I think you can find it in all if not almost all the books of the Old Testament. Most of the New Testament as well, except the epistles.

Behold means to take note of.  It can also mean to submit oneself to.

Could it be common in my life this year...beholding my Savior in all things??? Beholding Him everywhere, each chapter, each unknown....

This is my focus for the year...to behold the things that God is doing in and around me.  To submit to the things God is asking of me.

Behold, the Lamb of God.  Behold, I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said.  Behold, I am making all things new!

This year I desire to behold God's work in me as good.  To look to Him and not at myself.  To wear the shoes He sets out for me gladly.  To see the words of a neighbor as gifts from my Savior and not as another reason to criticize myself.

Beholding Him in all things. 

Newness falling fresh on a life of normalcy.

Beholding each moment as a gift, a trust.

           ,................

I am undone.  Yes, Lord, Help me to Behold.

On Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas from all of us here....finally the days of December are full and it's time to celebrate the birth of our Savior!

Here's some happenings at our home....I thought this picture of the little lady reading a chapter book with the baby nearly stepping on her head was pretty funny.

Meet Tom and Holly.  I'm sure you can figure out who's who.  These two bears have brought endless entertainment for the children this December.

I was annoyed with Brian when he allowed Dawsy to spend some of his birthday money on Tom at the Christmas tree farm....we have enough stuffed animals, I thought.  But for $4.00, I don't think you could buy something that would provide so many hours of fun.

They have a boat, a plane, and many other vehicles.  There's a whole wardrobe furnished by Noelle's dolls.  (You'll see her hair pretties, too).  Many other animals have been vying for Holly's hand in marriage (the kids witnessed the real Tom and Holly's wedding this summer).  But apparently there's an announcement that a marriage will take place on Christmas Day!

Congratulations, Tom and Holly, you couldn't have picked a more celebratory day for your union!

Here are Tom and Holly on a sled.  I hear they were at the North Pole yesterday...somehow the children got ahold of foam (for all you new moms, fear foam and quickly get it out of the house).  This foam snuck in and I didn't know about it till I heard them all yelling "Snow, snow."  Then it was too late so we went with it.  In this picture they are watching the snow melt (aka vaccuuming).  Then they were headed to Ethiopia for some warm weather.

It's amazing to watch them capture joy and Christmas and all that's wrapped up in it.  I've thoroughly enjoyed celebrating with them and through them this December.

The candles flicker on the mantle, lighting over the bowed wise men.  The white lights fill the tree in the corner and underneath a Prestige Red Poinsettia beckons for admiration.  How all these symbols became part of the celebration of Christ's birth I don't know.

It's sure beautiful, though.  The symbols (well, many of them), as well as the reason for celebrating.

I think about Mary.  How she chose to trust God.  She willingly opened herself up to God's way with her even when it was unknown, unclear, uncertain, uncanny, unconventional.

She was not disappointed.  In pain?  Yes.  Hurting?  Yes.  Disappointed?  No.

Somehow she was able to see that God's way was higher than her way.  To be involved in His work might mean misunderstandings, danger, even death.  Intentionally she chose His way anyway.

Think about it.  When she said to the angel, "I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said,"  she knew that to be pregnant while betrothed meant death.

Her first provision from the Lord was the angel's information to her...she would be overcome with the Holy Spirit and that's how she would conceive.  Mary didn't have to second guess how she got pregnant.  She knew it was a work of God within her.

The angel also told her about her cousin Elizabeth.  Barren for so many years and now, past childbearing she was miraculously bearing a special child.  Mary was immediately able to go to someone safe who would understand what she was going through.

Not only did Elizabeth understand what she was going through, she also prophesied that Mary was pregnant  with Elizabeth's Lord before Mary even had a chance to say hello.  Talk about confirmation and strength to continue trusting!

She probably helped with Elizabeth's birth and was provided with the knowledge she'd need for her own.

Next was the hurdle with Joseph. Once he found out she was pregnant, what would he do?  He had the power to have her stoned.  But before he could even tell Mary that he was going to have mercy on her by quietly putting her away an angel explained everything to him in a dream.
Once again, God came through. Mary had a righteous man to take care of her and the baby.

Mary's trust had to continue, as they were forced to travel at the time her child was due.  Would they make it to Bethlehem or be stuck on the road in a vulnerable position?  She had to trust through her contractions that somehow God would provide a place for her to labor in privacy, safety, warmth, and comfort.

As Isaiah's prophecies were being recited and fulfilled, I wonder if Mary said some of his words to herself as she followed her Lord.  Maybe she prayed the words "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you;  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."41.10


Mary's opportunities to trust continued throughout her lifetime, but the ultimate trusting and providing is found in the child she carried.  He who spoke the world into being came to provide a hope and an everlasting future for us if we put our trust in Him.

And He who promises is faithful.

A blessed, merry, precious Christmas to you.

On Being Rich

One of the questions posed for us to consider at our Christmas gathering last night was "how has Christ's poverty made you rich?"

It is a puzzling question posed by someone who's been following the Christ-Child hard for many, many years.

Though I cannot fully grasp a clear answer, an explanation's been turning in my head for awhile....

There's something about knowing He, the Maker of All, came as an infant to a poor girl and her fiance.  There's something about knowing that throughout His life He had no place to call home, no just-right pillow for His head.  I mean, even I have a pillow I prefer to sleep on.

There's something about knowing He didn't have much, materially, to speak of.  Of knowing that what He did have, power from God, He shared generously to all who sought Him, and even gave of His power, prayers, and words to those who weren't seeking Him.

It's a plumb line for me.  Truly, one of the few things that keeps me from despairing at times.  For though we lack nothing, God has chosen to place us in a position of constant reliance upon Him.  (And isn't that what He wants for us all???)

So in those moments when I get tired of being dependent upon Him, times when I wish I just didn't have to think about budgets and bargains, He is my plumb line.

Each time I am brought back to reality.  The God I worship and follow; His riches are not of this world.  He calls me to remember that where my treasure is, there my heart will be also.

He reminds me of the riches already mine....grace, mercy, peace, redemption, adoption as His child, forgiveness of sins, the Holy Spirit, an inheritance kept in heaven which will never spoil or fade....

How has His poverty made me rich?  Oh, let me count the ways....for the riches of Christ, made mine through His poverty, are worth more than all the man-made riches in the world.

This was their first pick...it wasn't the price of the tree that bothered us, it was  the price of the new home we'd have to buy to put it in!!!

Counting my other riches this Christmas....

#221-243

*Picking out a Christmas tree in the cold...Oldest boy now helping to carry it.

*Patience with the lights

*Popcorn strings and snacks hanging low for Timmy whenever he needs

*Christmas Carols

*Cutie Oranges

*Good Christmas stories

*Generous and insightful babysitters

*A faithful husband

*A faithful God

*Home Economics with Aunt Heidi and Eli

*Learning of Washington, D.C.

*Little ballet dancers in red

*How she just won't cooperate in taking a picture

*Patter of feet in the hallway

*Late night water calls

*Shirtless baby hanging ornaments for the first time...all on the low branches

*Receiving Christmas cards in the mail

*Visits from friends from afar

*Gifts for giving

*Timmy scrubbing his scribbled crayon off the floor

*Advent evenings together

riches taken from Ephesians 1, photos: this Christmas season